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It's not practical to set deadlines for a conflict — Honasan

Sen. Gringo Honasan on Thursday said it is not practical to set a deadline for conflicts without boundaries.

"It is not practical to set deadlines for a conflict that has no physical front lines or boundaries,” Honasan, former military officer, said on his official Twitter account.

It was not clear whether he was referring to the ongoing siege in Marawi City or if he was merely generalizing.

“Terrorism, Islamic fundamentalism and establishment of an Islamic state area ideas that must be fought with an overall approach like good government, better coordination and cooperation among all agencies, departments, institutions of government with the support of the people and not by military action alone,” he added.

Honasan made this statement after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that the conflict in Marawi City is nearing its end and now on its final stage of operation.

However, the AFP the other day said that it will no longer be setting deadlines to end the ongoing siege.

Meanwhile, petitioners continue to challenge Pres. Rodrigo Duterte's proclamation of martial law saying that terrorism does not necessarily mean rebellion.

Petitioners wanted martial law nullified to prevent abuses. However, allies of the President supported a possible extension if the conflict would not be resolved within the 60-day martial law period.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, in a previous interview, also said that it is difficult to set deadlines.

However, if the President should seek an extension of martial law, he said that the Congress should convene in a joint session this time.